Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Blue Sky Buzz: Chinese Changes...

More magic...

The Mouse's second kingdom in China is still a half decade away, but there are things that that are coming into view...

When D23 arrives later this year there will most likely be a great deal more info about Shanghai Disneyland as well as several other parks, but until then information has slowly been revealed to the public. After all, we knew that this version of the magic kingdom wouldn't have a Main Street - and it doesn't. We've known that several attractions would have a Chinese influence, and we've known that the castle would be different -- and now bigger. But what else will be exclusive/original to the park when it opens in the latter part of this decade?

You want the most interesting contrast to the other Disney magic kingdoms? No Space Mountain. That's right. The iconic attraction that we've all known at practically every traditional, magic kingdom styled park won't be there on opening day. Now, I'm not saying it'll never be built, but the blue prints as of now call for no attraction like this on the drawing board. There are several staples that you would recognize as a given in the parks, but there is also an attempt to make this park original/different. I applaud that. You know my belief that each park should be its own, with an original identity.

As we revealed earlier in the month, the park will have an original rafting ride that has a basis in the design of the Grizzly River Run, but under an entirely different adventure. One that I'm quite found of. Take a look at that original overview artwork and you'll see it in the right corner. It's the big mountain you can see there. It's intricately detailed with a great deal of beautiful rockwork. Let's hope that Burbank doesn't make them cut the budget as it's going to cost quite a bit.

There will also be a classically detailed Jungle Cruise type boat attraction, but as of now, it won't be called that. In fact, much to my delight, there are several adventure type attractions that are styled in the type of theming that I love (Disney's Animal Kingdom, Tokyo DisneySEA). This along with a couple of other projects should provide a distinct fingerprint for the Mouse's second park in the Middle Kingdom. It's going to be interesting to see what surprises are revealed at D23 later this year.

To be fair Disneyland, The Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Paris also opened without a Space Mountain. Disney seems to like to hold back big, easy to add attractions like this for an early addition tot he park after a year or two to boost attendance.

Maybe it will not have one, or maybe it will just be a different version of more or less the same concept (Ie the raft ride)... I guess we shall see.

True, it was put in at DL and WDW after they were open, but every park (Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong) after that has opened with a version of the famous ride. It is a significant difference. I wonder what it could be where that big dome thing is on the artwork if it's not Space Mountain?

As was pointed out you are incorrect about DLP, it did NOT have a Space Mountain upon opening. I actually look at this as a positive because Space Mountain is actually one of the lest expensive and simplest of all "E-Tickets". In other words you see it in Hong Kong because it was a lot cheaper to build than virtually any other major attraction (among other reasons).I take this as a sign that perhaps they are aiming higher and creating unique attractions or more complex attractions.

Listen, I like Space Mountain as much as the next guy... I have been on all of them many times (Including the over seas versions) but they are far from showcasing what Disney really can do best and in some cases are starting to feel a bit dated. Maybe this gives them a chance to reinvent the concept into something greater than before.

Maybe a Tron coaster would be based on the cyber mid idea WDI cooked up for Tokyo Disneyland a few years back as part of the sci fi city remodel of tomorrowland. If I remember right that involved 'beamed' into the internet so it sounds like an easy mod to turn it into the game grid